A day that starts out at 5 am, includes two bouncing rolling ferry rides and ends after midnight, and includes the words “Butchart Gardens”, you know you must have had a WONDERFUL DAY. It started hard in that we got on the ferry just to find that they have no elevator…so Marcia with all her might had to climb the many stairs to get up into the ferry because they WON’T let her stay in the car for the safety of all others (I guess one could start the car and make a mess of things down there which could take down the ferry). But the ferry “purser” told us how they were going to wheelchair her off, how I could pick her up with the car, and how we could wheelchair her on and off once we leave Victoria on the ferry…so all was good. Other than the bouncing and rolling, which got a few people (not us) a bit ill, and the sighting of a few Whale spouts (I saw one) and some whales (seen by others)…the ferry ride was just that, a ride.
But from the moment we walked into the gardens…
…until we left walking under the Greek Flag, our senses were doused to overload stages. So much color, so many types of vegetation, so many perfect looking plants and gardens and lawns and ponds and fountains…and SO MANY PEOPLE! Well, everything can’t be perfect…With that all said, I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story, be sure to hover over them with your mouse.
If you want to read the fascinating story about how the Butchart Gardens came to be, read this.
I was there many MANY years ago. It looks just the same ... beautiful!!! That was a really long day however!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was a marathon day! This morning (next day) the dogs had to awaken at 8 am because they were so worn out...but then they take me on their morning walk and I am like, "Hey you two, where did you get all this energy today" because they are back to their running selves. They did SO GOOD at the Gardens, Skruffy did not bark except for a couple of times, and Bubba was the best!
DeleteBeautiful! We were amazed that a quarry could be rejuvenated to such an extent. It looks like you had perfect weather for your visit. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, the weather was perfect....high '60s, light breeze, which, of course, makes for a crowd at the gardens! What a beautiful place is correct.
DeleteYou really captured the beauty of the gardens. I thought at first that the Buddha was carved out of a tree trunk, but I guess it's just between the trees. Hard to imagine that the huge ferry doesn't have an elevator. How do they get away with that?
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara...I really thought the Garden's held up to all the hype that people give it....it is a wonderfully beautiful place...if it weren't for ALL the people. Can't imagine what it is like on a Weekend! As for no elevator, as long as they are willing to accommodate another way, which they were, then they can get away with it. The people who work the ship are real nice (except for that lady who asked us to get Skruffy off the table.)
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